hemerobiid

plural hemerobiids

1. biologyAny insect of the brown lacewing family (Hemerobiidae).

   Recent hemerobiids (brown lacewings) are terrestrial insects and both adults and larvae prey on small soft-bodied arthropods.

   1977, Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Geology series, volume 33, page 259

   2 more examples

   Hemerobiids often are active at relatively low temperatures; thus they can be useful as biological control agents in temperate regions early in the season when other natural enemies remain inactive.

   2009, Catherine A. Tauber, Maurice J. Tauber, Gilberto S. Albuquerque, “Neuroptera (Lacewings, Antlions)”, in Vincent H. Resh, Ring T. Cardé, editors, Encyclopedia of Insects, page 705

   Coccinellid beetles and hemerobiids (brown lacewings), and other such predators are most likely to have a major impact on aphid densities.

   2010, Claire Ozanne, “Chapter 9: Insect pests of some forest trees”, in Bryan G. Bowes, editor, Trees and Forests, page 180